It really is a good game. The ideal new FPS - new IP, new ideas, fast and even matchmaking, etc. Its just too bad that a lot of the content that they've added over the last year wasn't available at launch. Probably would have had a better reception with critics then, and I still miss having a decent campaign.

Still, that just makes me look forward to Titanfall 2. If they can nail a decent 5-10 hour campaign, improve on the gameplay and content and add more customization...it'll have the potential of being one of the top games of this generation, at least in terms of $$$. Especially if the rumor is true and it'll be multiplatform.

No. A demo (or even something like a demo) would imply that you need to purchase or acquire the rest of the product to enjoy the full experience. You don't need to purchase either FH2 or go see FF7 to enjoy the full experience. Again, it really reminds me of those Burger King games - for example PocketBike Racer. Would you say that game is a demo? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PocketBike_Racer

We might be arguing the same thing, but you're just using the wrong words for what you're saying.

I don't think you know what the word demo means. It's a separate, expansion pack that's free to everyone for $10. I'm sure it'll integrate with FH2 somehow, but it is completely standalone. Sure, someone might play this, and be like wow - that was awesome, I want to buy FH2 now! But I'd call it more of a glorified ad than a demo. Similar to those Burger King games from years ago on the 360.

The main reason Halo is failing IMHO is because there is ZERO incentive to play... It used to be your "level" 1-50, this was HUGE bragging rights.

Bingo. Playing Halo 2 day after day to try and get my level up above the mid 30's was what was so fun and challenging. That's what I looked forward to the most in Halo MCC - having a ladder to climb with evenly skilled matchmaking.

I was thinking about this yesterday - I just want to go back to the Halo 2? form of voting. You're given one map/one game type, if enough vetoes are reached, the game just loads into another map/game type. This random playlist of yours would work really well for that.

I don't have the best understanding either, but I think the protests are about two different issues. One, the proposed pipeline will go through national parks, watershed land, people's backyards, etc. The other issue is protestors are upset that Dominion and other companies are investing in things like pipelines for a fossil fuel, rather than investing in renewable energy like solar or wind.

There really should be a subreddit rule that if you post a story/link that doesn't have any actual facts or even a rumored source behind it, your post is deleted. Maybe adding that criteria to "low quality posts."

To add to this: the difficulty settings are what they say they are. Easy means easy - it's very hard to die, enemies are weaker/fewer, etc. Ammo is plentiful, doesn't really matter what weapons you use. Normal is "normal." If you're good with shooters you can easily play through with that. Heroic is something along the lines of a Halo veteran difficulty - some areas are extremely hard to work through but it is a good challenge. Legendary on the other is very, very difficult. Enemies are at their most powerful and AI is very intelligent - you have to really plan your way through different parts of a map. Ammo is challenging, and know what weapons to use on what parts of the map is key.

This was discussed on the giantbombcast a few weeks ago - it was pretty obvious with their super late DLC released for rock band and subsequent survey sent to fans. I never understood why rock band/guitar hero games disappeared so quickly. They were fun.

Digital trading actually sounds really interesting. I wonder how Microsoft (and/or publishers) would be able to control things and get a cut of the action though. Not that I think publishers need to get richer, but a system that would be successful is one that will reward publishers as well.

All I want (and I don't really think this is a big ask) is easy access to purchasing digital codes for games - similar to what most PS4 games get. I want to be digital only, but its hard for my wife or family to buy me a digital copy of a game for a birthday or Christmas. I also feel crappy returning the disc copy of a game that was gifted and then purchasing that very same game digitally just so that I don't have to deal with the disc.

This is actually really interesting. I can barely find any info about the development of Phantom Dust before today at all - much less who the main developer is.

As far as Darkside studios itself, nowhere have they been previously linked to Phantom Dust. Their website and facebook feed doesn't mention it all - in fact most of their promotion revolves around their recent Borderlands work. The only indication I can find that they might have been working on Phantom Dust is this quote that was on just two of their five available jobs: "We are currently working with Microsoft on an exciting title that will be released in the next couple of years and seeking experienced candidates eager to aid in development of this title." (http://www.darksidegames.com/?p=job&i=70).

That quote doesn't make it sound like they are the main developer. It makes it sound more like a partnership (or exactly what they've done on all their previous contracts). While Kotaku might be right, this might be their first project that they're completely in charge of, it just doesn't sound right. Why be so secretive about it? Why would Microsoft promise a (likely expensive) reboot that probably will not have much of a return to an unproven studio?

The nail in the coffin is the supposed quote from the Microsoft spokesperson: "Microsoft partnered with Darkside Game Studios in the development of 'Phantom Dust,' but our working relationship has now ended." The spokesperson goes on to say that development continues, etc. It doesn't sound like Microsoft canceled the contract with their main developer, it sounds more like they canceled the contract with a developer who was partnering on Phantom Dust.

Long story short - my guess is Darkside studios signed a 2-3 year contract with Microsoft to help with the development of Phantom Dust - similar to what they've done with Sunset Overdrive or Borderlands games. Another studio (maybe a first party one) was performing a 343i style management of the game. They were the primary developer, with Darkside doing a lot of the grunt work. Something went sour - either the work was bad, or Darkside pissed off Microsoft somehow, or Microsoft's scope on the game change and Darkside was no longer needed. Either way, they found a clause in the contract to cancel the partnership and Darkside execs made a drastic decision to close the studio.

I think there's enough stink in whatever happened for more to come to light over the next few weeks though. Just really weird.

This is actually really interesting. I can barely find any info about the development of Phantom Dust before today at all - much less who the main developer is.

As far as Darkside studios itself, nowhere have they been previously linked to Phantom Dust. Their website and facebook feed doesn't mention it all - in fact most of their promotion revolves around their recent Borderlands work. The only indication I can find that they might have been working on Phantom Dust is this quote that was on just two of their five available jobs: "We are currently working with Microsoft on an exciting title that will be released in the next couple of years and seeking experienced candidates eager to aid in development of this title." (http://www.darksidegames.com/?p=job&i=70).

That quote doesn't make it sound like they are the main developer. It makes it sound more like a partnership (or exactly what they've done on all their previous contracts). While Kotaku might be right, this might be their first project that they're completely in charge of, it just doesn't sound right. Why be so secretive about it? Why would Microsoft promise a (likely expensive) reboot that probably will not have much of a return to an unproven studio?

The nail in the coffin is the supposed quote from the Microsoft spokesperson: "Microsoft partnered with Darkside Game Studios in the development of 'Phantom Dust,' but our working relationship has now ended." The spokesperson goes on to say that development continues, etc. It doesn't sound like Microsoft canceled the contract with their main developer, it sounds more like they canceled the contract with a developer who was partnering on Phantom Dust.

Long story short - my guess is Darkside studios signed a 2-3 year contract with Microsoft to help with the development of Phantom Dust - similar to what they've done with Sunset Overdrive or Borderlands games. Another studio (maybe a first party one) was performing a 343i style management of the game. They were the primary developer, with Darkside doing a lot of the grunt work. Something went sour - either the work was bad, or Darkside pissed off Microsoft somehow, or Microsoft's scope on the game change and Darkside was no longer needed. Either way, they found a clause in the contract to cancel the partnership and Darkside execs made a drastic decision to close the studio.

I think there's enough stink in whatever happened for more to come to light over the next few weeks though. Just really weird.

So let me get this straight. Microsoft cancels their contract with the studio today, and on the very same day the studio execs decide to fire everyone? If you apply Occam's razor, this would be one of the most unlikely scenarios to happen! Sure, the studio might close because a canceled contract, but its sounds so unreal that such a drastic decision would happen the same day. Something obviously doesn't add up.